Page 74 of Magic of Sins

He had it coming. He deserves this. And more.

“Lick Caden’s boots clean!” I hiss at Jared.

The laughter grows louder. Caden raises his eyebrows in surprise, but doesn’t interfere. This is my show, and I will do whatever I please with Jared. He’s a puppet. My puppet.

So much power …

My gaze goes to Syrus, who looks upon his friend in disgust as Jared eagerly licks at Caden’s boots. He was the one who killed Ava. He doesn’t deserve to stand there on the sidelines like an innocent bystander.

“Hey, Jared,” I say in a coaxing voice, holding out a strawberry to him.

He eagerly jumps to his feet and comes running. His look is that of a crazed man. I feed him the red fruit, trying not to touch him in the process.

Then I lean forward and whisper in his ear, “Kill Syrus!”

It’s not me talking. I know it the moment the words leave my lips. It’s the feeling of unchecked power. It’s doing something to me. It creeps into my body and spreads through my thoughts, constantly whispering.

Still, I watch as Jared dashes toward his friend like a dog trying to fetch a stick. I laugh at the strange sight, though I suddenly feel nauseous. My stomach clenches, but I ignore the feeling.

The show must go on.

As Jared’s hands wrap around Syrus’ neck, I hear startled cries. The sin mages jump up from their seats. Some push forward to get a better look at what’s happening, others flee the hall with fear in their eyes. Good. Let them be afraid. Perhaps I’ll decide that they’re next.

Caden leaves the stage and comes to stand next to me.

“I think that’s enough,” he says quietly. “You’ve proven what you came here to prove. Let go of the thread.”

Is it enough though?

I think of the crowd laughing at me and pushing me around, of Caden getting beat up by Jared’s henchmen, of Ava …

And I know it will never be enough.

Syrus has to die.

I want him to die.

I tighten the thread until it feels like it could snap. Jared has overpowered his friend. He’s straddling him and has his hands around his neck, thumbs pressed to his larynx. Syrus is actually the stronger of the two, but madness drives Jared. He’ll kill Syrus because I ordered him to. All for a single strawberry.

Syrus flails around, but his movements begin to grow weak. They are the movements of a dying man. A pitiful gurgling sound escapes his throat.

“Do something!” someone shouts.

Choi looks over at me pleadingly. Rey looks like she wants to lunge at the two men to pull them apart, but she hesitates. Maybe because then she’d have to publicly admit that this wasn’t part of the plan. My part should have been over by now. I was supposed to humiliate Jared a little. Prove to him and everyone else that I’m not a helpless victim.

Oh, no, I’m not a victim.

I hold the threads. I hold Syrus’ life in my hand, and I can snuff it out with a single command.

“Kill him!”

Caden grabs me by the shoulders and yanks me around to face him. I think I see something like panic in his gaze.

Is the King of the Underworld afraid?

Of me?

“Stop it, Kaya! Let him go!” he begs.

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